The top gun maverick cast combines Tom Cruise’s returning aviation hero with a new generation of Navy pilots and several major Hollywood stars. Released in 2022, Top Gun: Maverick brought the story back to the elite flight school more than three decades after the original movie, pairing familiar faces with younger performers who quickly became closely associated with the franchise.
The sequel centers on Pete “Maverick” Mitchell, who is asked to train an elite group of Top Gun graduates for an exceptionally dangerous mission. Among them is Bradley “Rooster” Bradshaw, the son of Maverick’s late friend and former Radar Intercept Officer, Nick “Goose” Bradshaw. That relationship gives the film a personal dimension while allowing the franchise to introduce a completely new group of pilots.
The movie’s ensemble includes Miles Teller, Jennifer Connelly, Glen Powell, Jon Hamm, Lewis Pullman, Monica Barbaro, Jay Ellis, Danny Ramirez, Greg Tarzan Davis, Charles Parnell, Bashir Salahuddin, Ed Harris and Val Kilmer alongside Cruise.
Who Is in Top Gun: Maverick?
The principal cast includes:
- Tom Cruise as Pete “Maverick” Mitchell
- Miles Teller as Bradley “Rooster” Bradshaw
- Jennifer Connelly as Penny Benjamin
- Glen Powell as Jake “Hangman” Seresin
- Jon Hamm as Beau “Cyclone” Simpson
- Lewis Pullman as Robert “Bob” Floyd
- Monica Barbaro as Natasha “Phoenix” Trace
- Jay Ellis as Reuben “Payback” Fitch
- Danny Ramirez as Mickey “Fanboy” Garcia
- Greg Tarzan Davis as Javy “Coyote” Machado
- Charles Parnell as Solomon “Warlock” Bates
- Bashir Salahuddin as Bernie “Hondo” Coleman
- Ed Harris as Chester “Hammer” Cain
- Val Kilmer as Tom “Iceman” Kazansky
The ensemble was designed to connect the original film’s legacy with a new generation of characters. Several of the younger performers were relatively new to blockbuster action movies when Top Gun: Maverick arrived, while established stars such as Hamm, Harris and Connelly added experience to the supporting lineup.
Tom Cruise as Pete “Maverick” Mitchell
Tom Cruise returns as Pete “Maverick” Mitchell, the central character of the Top Gun franchise.
Maverick remains a gifted pilot decades after the events of the first movie. Rather than pursuing a conventional rise through the Navy ranks, he has continued working as a test pilot. His instinct to push aircraft and himself to the limit remains one of his defining characteristics.
His return to Top Gun forces him to confront more than a difficult military assignment. He must train pilots who are younger, ambitious and often skeptical of his methods. The most complicated relationship is with Rooster, whose family history is directly connected to Maverick.
Cruise also served as a producer on the movie, making his role in the project larger than simply appearing on screen.
Miles Teller as Bradley “Rooster” Bradshaw
Miles Teller plays Lt. Bradley “Rooster” Bradshaw, whose personal history is closely tied to the original film.
Rooster is the son of Nick “Goose” Bradshaw, Maverick’s former flying partner. Goose’s death in the first Top Gun left a lasting impact on Maverick, and Rooster’s presence brings those memories back.
Rooster is a capable pilot, but his relationship with Maverick is filled with resentment and unresolved feelings. Their history becomes one of the movie’s central emotional storylines.
Teller’s performance also gives the franchise a new central character who can stand independently from Maverick. Rooster is not simply a younger version of his father’s generation; he has his own ambitions, frustrations and understanding of what happened to his family.
Jennifer Connelly as Penny Benjamin
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Jennifer Connelly portrays Penny Benjamin, a character connected to Maverick’s personal life.
Penny operates a local bar and has a history with Maverick. Their relationship develops into one of the film’s major non-military storylines.
Her role gives audiences a view of Maverick away from aircraft carriers, training exercises and military command rooms. Penny also understands his personality and the risks associated with his career.
Connelly brings a grounded presence to a movie otherwise dominated by high-speed aerial sequences.
Glen Powell as Jake “Hangman” Seresin
Glen Powell plays Lt. Jake “Hangman” Seresin, one of the most confident members of the younger pilot group.
Hangman is highly competitive and believes strongly in his own abilities. His personality frequently puts him at odds with other pilots, especially Rooster.
Unlike some of the other members of the team, Hangman has a tendency to focus on his own survival and success. That attitude becomes increasingly important as the pilots learn what the mission will require.
Powell’s performance helped establish Hangman as one of the sequel’s most recognizable new characters. The role also became an important early blockbuster credit for the actor.
Jon Hamm as Beau “Cyclone” Simpson
Jon Hamm plays Vice Admiral Beau “Cyclone” Simpson.
Cyclone is part of the Navy’s senior leadership and approaches the mission from a more conventional command perspective. His priorities sometimes conflict with Maverick’s belief that pilots must be trained to accomplish an exceptionally difficult objective.
The contrast between Cyclone and Maverick creates an ongoing debate about risk, preparation and responsibility.
Hamm’s presence also gives the movie a strong senior-command character who can challenge Maverick rather than simply support him.
Lewis Pullman as Robert “Bob” Floyd
Lewis Pullman portrays Lt. Robert “Bob” Floyd, known by his call sign as Bob.
Bob is one of the younger aviators selected for the specialized mission. He is quieter than several of his teammates but proves to be a valuable member of the group.
His character is particularly associated with Phoenix, and the pair develop a strong working relationship during the training process.
Pullman’s performance helped distinguish Bob from the more outspoken members of the team, adding another personality type to the group of pilots.
Monica Barbaro as Natasha “Phoenix” Trace
Monica Barbaro plays Lt. Natasha “Phoenix” Trace.
Phoenix is one of the most skilled pilots in the new group and is portrayed as confident and disciplined. She is also one of the characters who helps maintain balance within a team where personalities frequently clash.
Her interactions with Bob and the other pilots contribute to the team’s development before the mission.
Barbaro’s role became one of the most visible introductions in the film, and Phoenix remains an important part of the movie’s younger generation.
Jay Ellis as Reuben “Payback” Fitch
Jay Ellis plays Lt. Reuben “Payback” Fitch.
Payback is another member of the elite group assembled for Maverick’s training program. He is experienced enough to be trusted in demanding situations but still has to meet Maverick’s unusually high expectations.
His character is generally less involved in the movie’s personal conflicts than Rooster or Hangman, but he is an important member of the team.
Danny Ramirez as Mickey “Fanboy” Garcia
Danny Ramirez portrays Lt. Mickey “Fanboy” Garcia.
Fanboy is part of the younger pilot group and works closely with the other aviators as they prepare for the mission.
Ramirez’s character contributes to the team’s broader dynamic, particularly during the demanding training exercises. His performance was another part of the movie’s effort to create a believable group rather than focusing exclusively on Maverick and Rooster.
Greg Tarzan Davis as Javy “Coyote” Machado
Greg Tarzan Davis plays Lt. Javy “Coyote” Machado.
Coyote is one of the young aviators who must demonstrate that he can handle the extreme demands placed on the group.
Although the movie gives greater emotional focus to Maverick and Rooster, characters such as Coyote help establish the size and competitive nature of the training class.
Charles Parnell as “Warlock”
Charles Parnell plays Rear Admiral Solomon “Warlock” Bates.
Warlock is one of the senior Navy figures connected to the mission and has a professional understanding of Maverick’s abilities.
His character is important because Maverick’s return to Top Gun requires support from people within the military structure. Warlock is more willing than some senior officers to recognize what Maverick can contribute.
Bashir Salahuddin as “Hondo”
Bashir Salahuddin portrays Chief Warrant Officer 4 Bernie “Hondo” Coleman.
Hondo works closely with Maverick during the training process. He understands Maverick’s personality and helps communicate his expectations to the younger pilots.
The character is an important bridge between Maverick and the trainees, particularly when the instructor’s methods become difficult for the pilots to understand.
Ed Harris as “Hammer” Cain
Ed Harris plays Rear Admiral Chester “Hammer” Cain.
Hammer represents another senior military perspective in the movie. His character is involved in the broader debate about the future of naval aviation and the role of human pilots.
His presence reinforces one of the movie’s larger themes: the tension between technological advancement and the continued importance of highly trained aviators.
Val Kilmer as Tom “Iceman” Kazansky
Val Kilmer returns as Adm. Tom “Iceman” Kazansky, one of the most recognizable characters from the original Top Gun.
Iceman and Maverick were rivals in the first movie, but their relationship evolved over time. By the events of Top Gun: Maverick, Iceman is a senior Navy officer who has remained an important figure in Maverick’s life.
Kilmer’s return was especially significant because it reunited two of the original movie’s most important stars.
His appearance in Top Gun: Maverick ultimately became his final film role. Kilmer died in 2025 at age 65.
The New Generation of Top Gun Pilots
One of the sequel’s biggest structural changes was its focus on a new group of pilots.
Rooster, Hangman, Phoenix, Bob, Payback, Fanboy and Coyote each bring different personalities and approaches to flying. The competitive atmosphere is intentional because Maverick needs to identify which pilots can perform under extraordinary pressure.
The group also provides the movie with several competing relationships. Rooster and Hangman have very different personalities, while Phoenix and Bob develop a strong professional connection.
Rather than making every young pilot identical, the movie gives each member of the team a distinct role within the larger group.
How the Original Movie Connects to Maverick
The sequel works as both a continuation and a new chapter.
Maverick remains the central figure, but the story repeatedly returns to events from the original movie. Goose’s death is particularly important because it influences Maverick’s relationship with Rooster.
Iceman’s return provides another direct connection to the original cast.
At the same time, the younger pilots prevent the movie from becoming simply a reunion. Their presence creates a new generation around Maverick and opens the possibility of stories that can continue after his era.
What Made the Cast Stand Out
The ensemble works because the movie gives different performers different responsibilities.
Cruise carries the central action and emotional storyline. Teller provides the strongest connection to Goose and the original movie. Powell brings a competitive energy through Hangman, while Barbaro and Pullman help shape the younger team’s internal relationships.
Connelly provides Maverick’s personal connection outside the Navy, while Hamm and Harris represent senior military leadership.
Kilmer’s appearance has a different significance altogether because Iceman’s relationship with Maverick represents the passage of time between the two films.
Top Gun 3 and the Future of the Franchise
The future of the franchise became clearer in 2026 when Paramount confirmed that a third Top Gun movie is in development.
Tom Cruise is returning as Maverick, with Jerry Bruckheimer also returning as producer. Ehren Kruger, who co-wrote Top Gun: Maverick, has been associated with the screenplay.
However, the studio has not announced the complete returning cast. That distinction is important because speculation about appearances by Rooster, Hangman, Phoenix or other characters should not be treated as official casting news.
The next film follows the commercial success of Top Gun: Maverick, which surpassed $1.5 billion worldwide and became one of the biggest theatrical releases of its era.
The original Top Gun also received renewed attention in 2026 as the franchise marked its 40th anniversary. The milestone demonstrated how strongly the series remains connected to both longtime viewers and audiences introduced to the property through the 2022 sequel.
Will the Maverick Cast Return?
Tom Cruise is confirmed to return as Maverick for the third movie. Beyond Cruise, the final lineup remains subject to official announcements.
That means fans should separate confirmed casting from reports, rumors and comments made by individual actors.
Miles Teller’s Rooster remains one of the most important characters introduced by Top Gun: Maverick, while Hangman, Phoenix, Bob and the other pilots provide several possible directions for the franchise. Whether those characters return will depend on the story being developed for the next installment.
For now, the confirmed information points to Cruise continuing in the role that has defined the franchise across four decades.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who plays Maverick in Top Gun: Maverick?
Tom Cruise plays Capt. Pete “Maverick” Mitchell.
Who plays Rooster?
Miles Teller plays Lt. Bradley “Rooster” Bradshaw, the son of Goose.
Who plays Hangman?
Glen Powell portrays Lt. Jake “Hangman” Seresin.
Who plays Phoenix?
Monica Barbaro plays Lt. Natasha “Phoenix” Trace.
Who plays Bob?
Lewis Pullman portrays Lt. Robert “Bob” Floyd.
Is Val Kilmer in Top Gun: Maverick?
Yes. Val Kilmer returned as Adm. Tom “Iceman” Kazansky.
Is Top Gun 3 confirmed?
Yes. Paramount confirmed in 2026 that Top Gun 3 is in development, with Tom Cruise returning as Maverick.
Will Miles Teller be in Top Gun 3?
A full returning cast has not been officially announced, so Teller’s participation should not be treated as confirmed unless Paramount or the production makes an official announcement.
Key Points Summary
╔════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ – Tom Cruise returns as Pete “Maverick” Mitchell, the central character of the franchise. ║
║ – Miles Teller plays Bradley “Rooster” Bradshaw, whose family history connects the sequel to Goose from the original movie. ║
║ – Glen Powell, Monica Barbaro, Lewis Pullman, Jay Ellis, Danny Ramirez and Greg Tarzan Davis form the new generation of Navy pilots. ║
║ – Jennifer Connelly, Jon Hamm, Ed Harris, Charles Parnell and Bashir Salahuddin play important supporting roles. ║
║ – Val Kilmer reprised his role as Iceman, marking his final appearance in the franchise. ║
║ – Paramount confirmed that Top Gun 3 is in development, with Tom Cruise returning as Maverick. ║
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